A Fashion Adventure: New Exhibitions

October 22, 2012

Treat yourself to a fashion outing this week by popping into London to view two fantastic exhibitions. First stop: Somerset House for the ‘Tim Walker: Story Teller’ photographic exhibition, which highlights some of the Vogue and Vanity Fair photographer’s most extraordinary moments, all reflecting the theme: ‘Day dreams turned into photographs’. Surrealist portraits influenced by Walker’s fascination with the Gothic fairytale are the core of the exhibition.

As well as the images, Walker’s passion for scene construction allows visitors to view various astounding props and models, namely a life-size Spitfire plane and a giant mechanical doll. In one compelling image (above) model Lindsey Wixson is kicked by one – how rude! Also in Walker’s fantasy fashion world is Agyness Deyn amongst the sand dunes of Namibia and Alexander McQueen posing with a smoking skull (below). With the addition of quirky films playing and workshops revealing the magic behind the camera, this exhibition is sure to be a riveting and original experience.

Then…………….. hotfoot it to the Victoria & Albert museum for the epitome of sheer glamour, The Hollywood Costume Exhibition (pictured below). The museum’s largest autumnal exhibit will take you on a journey through the Golden age of Hollywood, accompanied by a soundtrack, film clips, animated interviews and digital mood-boards.

Whether you’re attending for film or fashion, both aspects will be awe-inspiring. I can’t wait to ooh and ahh over the beautiful frocks, from Marilyn Monroe’s iconic dress from 1959’s Some Like It Hot (below right) and Audrey’s Givenchy gown in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, tothe modern allure of Natalie Portman’s Black Swan tutu (below left).

This exhibit requires an entrance fee, but with over 100 of the most memorable Hollywood costumes featured, it is a powerful, must-see look at the importance of costume in story-telling.